Margaret: “John.” She sighs faintly and sobs.
Horrified at the state Margaret is in, John turns to Cameron.
John: “Margaret being in so much pain and suffering can’t be right, Cameron.”
Cameron: “Sadly it is.” Cameron winces.
Hannah: “All women have this trial in child birth. But the baby will be worth it, and Margaret will soon forget her pain when your baby is in her arms.”
Margaret: “I can’t take any more pain.” She pleads weakly to John. “Help me.”
John: “Cameron?”
Cameron: “I can na do anything … but operate.” Cameron looks pointedly at John.
John: “No!” And John remembers that Cameron said that he might have to make a choice--his wife or his baby. But John cannot do that--he cannot choose. “Can you not do anything else to help her?” John pleads desperately.
Midwife: The midwife bursts back into the room with the hot milk posset drink. “Maybe I can help her! I’ve a soothing drink for ye dearie. It should also help lessen the pain.”
Margaret nods, desperately willing to try anything at this point. John holds Margaret up a bit by her shoulders as he watches fixedly as she slowly sips the rum laden drink until a quarter of the cup is emptied. John gently lays her back down and Margaret sinks back into her pillow in exhaustion as she closes her eyes briefly.
Hannah: “John.” She whispers purposefully. “Please wait in the hall until we call for you.”
John: “No!” He says forcefully. Then he winces. “Mother, My place is at Margaret’s side.”
Margaret: “Ahhhhhhhh!” Margaret cries out again with a contraction.
Midwife: “If the ladies will stand back, Drrr. Ogilvy and I will examine Marrrgarrret again.”
Fiona and Angharad step away from Margaret’s bedside across from John kneeling next to the bed and clutching Margaret’s hand and squeezing it gently. First Cameron and then the Midwife assess the progress of the baby. The head is crowning and they must get it out. But Margaret is small even with her womb being fully expanded.
Cameron: “I could trrry forrrceps.” He winces to the Midwife.
Midwife: “I have a betterrr idea.” Then she turns and says. “Lady Angharad and Lady Fiona, come here.” The two ladies exchange curious looks, but they walk over to the midwife. “Let me see your hands.”
Lady Angharad’s eyes widen in shock. Lady Fiona looks perplexed. But they both comply with the Midwife’s request.
Cameron: “Hhhhhh! Fiona, ye have small and dainty hands.”
Fiona: Fiona looks at her hands and fingers.“Thank you, Papa.” She smiles uncertainly at her father-in-law and stepfather.
Midwife: “Aye! And your nails arrre trrrimmed shorrrt!”
Fiona: “Long nails impede my playing the piano.” Fiona explains.
Cameron: “Fiona, Ye must help Marrrgarrret. Will ye do that?” He inquires hopefully.
Fiona: “Of course. What might I do to help?” Fiona asks sweetly--her thinking that she might gently hold Margaret’s hand in hers.
Cameron: Looking between Fiona, his wife Hannah, and Stepson John, Cameron tells her. “Ye must help guide the baby out.”
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"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)
FanfictionJohn Thornton has an eager mind, starved for intellectual stimulation. But what John could not have foreseen was that just as his mind needs nourishment, so does his heart. Mr. Hale's proud, beautiful, kind, stubborn, and compassionate daughter Mi...
Ch. 63 (PG-13, D): The Pain of Giving Life
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